Irish Premier League star proposes to childhood sweetheart Eimear weeks after record move

An Irish Premier League star has capped off a life-changing few weeks with a personal milestone to match his professional breakthrough.

Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher has announced his engagement to childhood sweetheart Eimear just weeks after sealing a record-breaking move away from Liverpool.

Kelleher, who joined Brentford in a deal worth up to £20 million, shared the happy news with fans on Instagram, posting a photo of the moment he dropped to one knee to propose.

The Cork native has kept his relationship largely private over the years, but in a 2021 interview with LiverpoolFC.com, he opened up about how Eimear had been a huge part of his journey and even helped him reconnect with his Irish roots through dancing.

"My girlfriend is very good at Irish dancing, so I've been trying to learn a bit of that," he told the club. "I used to do it at school back home, so I've been trying to pick it up because I want to learn it again.

"I've actually been getting on quite good at it, so one day I want to be able to do a full dance or something like that. You have to have your feet in great coordination and be able to move them so quickly, so it definitely helps in terms of goalkeeping. It does me no harm. I won't be showing it to anybody!"

The pair have been together for several years, with Kelleher previously describing her as someone who helps keep him grounded away from the pressures of football.

The 26-year-old shot-stopper had spent nearly a decade at Liverpool, rising through the academy ranks to become a dependable presence behind first-choice keeper Alisson Becker.

Kelleher's standout performances included a starring role in Liverpool's 2022 Carabao Cup final win, where he scored the decisive penalty in a dramatic shootout.

Despite limited game time, Kelleher earned praise from manager Jürgen Klopp and fans alike for his composure and talent.

Now set to take on that lead role at Brentford, Kelleher is also expected to solidify his place as Ireland's first-choice goalkeeper heading into the next round of international fixtures.

But for now, the man once described as "laidback and chilled" is celebrating a new chapter in his personal life that's been years in the making.

Kelleher and Eimear's engagement marks the start of an exciting new era, both on and off the pitch for the young couple.

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